1/144th Scale Realspace Models Atlas V and Dream Chaser

[Ronpur50]

It is new project time!  And I am excited about this one!  The Dream Chaser on its Atlas V launch vehicle by Realspace Models.  I have built an Atlas V from Realspace before, and it is a nice, simple kit. 

The box has a photo of the finished model to help with painting. 

The main body tune is the biggest part of the kit.  It has a pour plug on the bottom that must be cut off.

The engine compartment also has a pour plug that needs sawed off.  And the LOX feed line has to be cut from its spruce.

[Ronpur50]

I removed the engines from their spruce and then glued them into the engine compartment.  Before I glued them in, I drilled out a hole for the rod that goes into the base.  Then the engine block will fit onto the base to support the launch vehicle.

[Ronpur50]

I then used the LOX tube to make sure the engine compartment of the booster is aligned before I glued them together.

[Ronpur50]

I want to try and make the Dream Chaser removable, so I first sanded down it's pour plug to about 1/16th of an inch.  Then I drilled through the connecting fairing into the bottom of the orbiter.  Another piece of wire will run from the fairing into the bottom of the orbiter to hold it in place.  I will have to make some engine bells for the base of the Dream Chaser and hollow out a bit more of the inside of the fairing so they will fit.

[Ronpur50]

That is as far as I have gotten today.  I will finish up with a picture of the decals.

[OV135]

I hope they make a 1/72 scale version.

[Ronpur50]

Over the last few days, I added the second stage to the launch vehicle and added the connecting fairing for the Dream Chaser.  I glued the wire into the hole I drilled out for the DC and test fitted the orbiter.  I had to putty and sand a couple tiny bubbles in the Chaser casting.

[Ronpur50]

I then removed the wings from their spruce and sanded the edges where they attach.  Then I glued them to the orbiter body.  Then I glued the fin to the orbiter.  I placed the orbiter on the launch vehicle and then on the display stand.  Primer is coming up next.

[RichO]

RON,

  This looks really cool!! I love the orbiter, but your scale is just to small. You need to build a large scale of this orbiter. But now, on to the paint shop!  Good job.

[Ronpur50]

LOL, with the smaller scale, I can build more things in my apartment!

[shuttlemodeler]

andi had it backwards.  I was gonna build a bigger house to hold the models

[RichO]

That's what I'm talkin' 'bout!

[Ronpur50]

If only I still lived up north and had a basement, lol.  I wish there were more 1/100th scale kits.  I like that size the best.  More detail but not too small.

[Ronpur50]

After a couple days of work on the painting, the project is coming along.  The primer revealed a few pits in the orbiter that had to be putty and sanded before moving on (Pic 1).  I used the Epoxy Paint again.  It just dry so hard after about 12 hours.  I love this paint.  After the white was applied in picture 2, I masked off the main tank to apply the gold.  After the gold dried, I sprayed it with a flat clear to make it look more like the real Atlas V.  Then I painted the fuel line and did a bit of white touch up(Pic 3).  I have a few more details to paint on the Atlas and paint the orbiter as well.

[Ronpur50]

 Finished up a bit more painting on the Dream Chaser Orbiter.  I am leaving town tonight, so that will be the last work on it until next week.

 Earlier this week, I also started some old models that I call, The Revell Space Program.  These kits came out in the early 1980's when Shuttle had just began and the future was bright and promising.  The Space Operations Center, a free flying Power Satellite and a Laser Battle Station.  I also built a model of the Space Shuttle Kitty Hawk to go with them.  I remember a set of decals that came with a Revell shuttle that had "Columbia" and "Kitty Hawk" names on it.  I wanted to give it an appearance of a orbiter that never existed.  A different tile pattern around the windows, blankets of Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour but a tail of Challenger.

[Ronpur50]

Well, the Dream Chaser and Atlas V resin model is done, at least until we see the real thing and I have to change it!  I really love this little shuttle and I hope we get to see it in action!  If so, I hope we get a larger scale of the orbiter. The last picture is a comparison of the Atlas V/Dream Chaser and Falcon 9R/Dragon.

[Ronpur50]

I took a picture of a Mercury Atlas and a Dream Chaser Atlas V.  From one Atlas to another!

[RichO]

Nice build, and nice paint job!

[Ronpur50]

Thanks Rich!  I really do want a larger scale orbiter!